HEADLINES
IRGC Strikes Komala as War Widens
High Court Blocks Mossad Chief Nomination
Palestine Marathon Returns With 2000 Runners

The time is now 8:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, at the start of the Iran war, Major General Tomer Bar spoke of extraordinary missions by special units, and on the same day an unusual incident was reported in Iraq’s Najaf-Karbala area, with reporting suggesting a possible connection between the two events.

In US Military Role, IDF special forces rescue units were clandestinely placed in Iraq to be ready to jump into action to rescue any IDF pilots who might be shot down, and American pilots were shot down and rescued by US forces in real time elsewhere during the Iran war; in the end no Israeli pilots were downed, so the rescue team did not need to be activated.

In Regional Impacts, Qatar's foreign ministry said the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Al Thani spoke with the Iranian foreign minister Arakchi, saying that using the Hormuz Strait as leverage would deepen the crisis. Troops from the Kfir Brigade, operating under the Gaza Division, continued operating east of the Yellow Line to clear the central Gaza area of terror infrastructure, dismantling two underground tunnel routes with a combined length of about two kilometers; several hideouts and weapons were found, and dozens of rockets and explosive devices were located. Today, the United Arab Emirates air defenses intercepted two Iranian drones.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the Iranian regime has enlisted foreign militias to man checkpoints across Tehran to support security forces in keeping civilian protests down, with members of the Iraqi PMF and Afghan Fatemiyoun reportedly deployed and enforcing vehicle searches and hijab regulations alongside security forces. The IRGC launched a missile attack targeting a position of the Iranian Kurdish opposition group Komala in the Alana Valley near Khalifan town, northeast of Erbil province, Iraq, with three missiles striking the area and no casualties reported. The IRGC Navy struck a bulk carrier off the coast of Qatar.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Attorney-General Baharav-Miara told the High Court that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to appoint Major-General Roman Gofman as Mossad chief cannot stand, arguing that the process that cleared him was fundamentally flawed; petitions challenge the appointment, and the center of the matter involves the Ori Elmakayes affair.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Britain stands with British Jews rally against antisemitism is planned for London, with the tagline “Britain stands with British Jews.” Organizers include the Board of Deputies of British Jews and allied groups, with Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis among speakers. Security measures are in place as organizers stress the need to confront a wave of recent incidents, including attacks in Golders Green and Manchester and arson against Jewish sites; entry to the rally is via the Trafalgar Square end of Whitehall, with bags not permitted.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Purete, a laid-back chef restaurant near Lake Kinneret, is described as a cozy kibbutz eatery where the dish speaks for itself, led by chef Tomer Tiv, whose background includes Le Cordon Bleu training and work in Michelin-starred venues. Israel also welcomes Google Finance in beta, offering a customized display of investment portfolios and real-time market analysis; the tool arrives amid broader AI-driven finance developments, including a renewed OpenAI–Microsoft partnership that will see revenue-sharing through 2030.

In Uplifting News, on May 8, 2026, people gathered along the coastal road near Nuseirat in central Gaza for a running event held alongside the return of the Palestine Marathon after a three-year war-related halt. More than 2,000 participants ran a 5-kilometer race, and 15 disabled athletes, including amputees wounded in the conflict, competed in a 2-kilometer para-race, with women taking part for the first time in years.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

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